*Kirti Mandir, Porbandar,Gujrat* and Birth Place of Mahatma Gandhi .!

Birth Place of Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi) at Porbandar, Gujrat - On the right at he place of 'Swastika Mark' Bapu was born. On the left shows left wall of that room and the board on this wall gives this very information.      

                Kirti Mandir is built in memory of "Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi" whom we popularly know as "Bapu". It is just side by side to his ancestral house where he was born in Porbandar. Infact entrance to the old house is through the courtyard of the Kirti Mandir. So whoever comes here visits both the buildings.

Entrance of  old building where
Gandhi ji was born at Porbandar,Gujrat

Role of Bapu in the struggle of Independence was so great that he was honored by this nation as "Rashtrapita" ie. father of the nation. His birth day on 2nd October every year celebrated as "Gandhi Jayanti" is a national holiday and all non veg and alcohol shops remain closed all over the country on this day as a mark of respect. Even the day on which he died is called "Shahid Diwas". So his birth place at Porbandar is conserved as his memorial. As you enter this old house you feel as if you have come to a village house. Wooden doors are thick and heavy. Roof made of wooden beams and brick tiles.

Typical wooden stair at the Birth Place of Mahatma Gandhi
at Porbandar, Gujrat

 And the most interesting are the stairs. These are made of wood and are very narrow. Its rise (height of a single step) is too much to be comfortable. So to help climbing these steps there is provided a thick rope hanging from the ceiling to the side of the stair. So hold this rope and pull it when going upstairs, this will reduce pressure on your feet. On both floors rooms of different sizes with small windows are there. The entry from the main gate is to a small courtyard. On the right you will see two staffs on the veranda who will give you some information about the place. Next to this veranda is the very room where Bapu was born. On a wall of this room a board gives information that the place on the floor where a mark of "Swastika" is made is exactly the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. Just above this mark a big framed photo of Gandhi ji making thread on the 'Charkha' is hanging on the wall. Standing in this room will give you a feeling of reverence towards Bapu. Next to this room is his mothers room. Many other rooms like kitchen and stores are on the left side of it. Information about different rooms are written on the boards in every important room. On the first floor is a small but airy room which was the study room of Bapu in his childhood. 

Study Room of Bapu in his ancestral house
 where he was born at Porbandar, Gujrat

Bapu's Parents, at his birth place,
Porbandar, Gujrat

                As in the beginning I have written that a new building just beside it has been constructed in Bapu's memory and it has been named as "Kirti Mandir". It means "the temple of fame". This name is truly justified as the fame of Mahatma Gandhi spread worldwide. 

Kirti Mandir, Porbandar, Gujrat

Kirti Mandir is very neat and clean and spacious too. A big courtyard and lot of used marble makes a good impression on visitors mind. Just like a temple you have to put off your shoes at the main gate of the building. Just across the

A view of the lane on which Kirti Mandir and Bapu's Birth Place
is situated. On the right is attractive gate of Kirti Mandir
at Porbandar, Gujrat

courtyard you will see  life size framed pictures of 'Baa' and 'Bapu' under a "Mandap". This is a double storey building. On the first floor is ''Baa's'' library and "Bal Mandir". These two rooms were closed at the time we visited there. On the ground floor is Bapu's library and a museum. The museum is quite interesting. Here you will see family tree of Bapu in a pictorial form. This framed photo on the wall gives a good idea of family of Gandhi ji. Many people visit here daily, specially school students in groups with their teacher. 

Family Tree of Mahatma Gandhi,
on the wall of museum at Kirti Mandir,
Porbandar, Gujrat

Baa and Bapu's life size pictures in a Mandap at Kirti Mandir, Gujrat

             Visiting this place is a memorable experience.